Communication of Stylo Management Practices

Summary

An investigation in 1996 found that legume dominance in tropical legume based pasture was a potential environmental hazard in stylo pasture systems. Industry workshops in 1997 focussed on the problem and developed the framework of a project to address the threat. This consisted of clarifying the potential problems and identifying best bet inanageinent strategies that that could be implemented to address stylo dominance. Industry (graziers, scientists, extension people and R&D funders) prepared a set of managenlent guidelines, which were widely promoted to industry from 1997 via all available media. The identified management guidelines to reduce the risk of legume dominance included:

- identification and mapping of 'at risk' environments - strategic control of grazing pressure

- summer spelling to promote grass seed production - periodic summer burning to reduce stylo and promote grass

- use of 'grazing resilient' grasses to compete with stylo

- use of fertiliser to promote grass in specific situations

- particular strategies for managing legume seed and hay crops

- the use of GRASS CHECK to monitor pasture changes Promotioil activities highlighted the enormous positive contribution of stylo to the beef indushy as well as the potential negative impacts of stylo dominance in pasture systems.

In the first year the main negotiated activities that were completed were the preparation and distribution of technical information on acidification to extension/scientific staff, conduct of the client awareness campaign via media stories and the preparation of a set of stylo management guidelines for all industry clients. The major project objective of making graziers aware of potential problems was probably achieved in the second year with the flood of publicity and the colour brochure mail-out and ancillary distribution of management guidelines.

This information was complemented by the inclusion of stylo management segments at Field Days and through the activities of a large number of industiy group (e.g. Future Profit, Landcare). At these activities the project attempted to concentrate on the positive aspects of management that benefit the producer as well as system sustainability.